A new kanzashi (hair ornament) specialty store, Ise Jingu Oharai-machi Kanzashiya Wargo, has opened on Oharai-machi, the approach to Ise Jingu's Naiku (Inner Shrine) in Ise City, Mie Prefecture. The store is the brand's first in the area and is operated by Wagokoro Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tomohiro Mori; Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market: 9271), which operates Japanese accessory brands including kanzashi, wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrellas), and chopsticks across Japan under the vision of "Bringing Japanese Culture to the World."
A Long-Awaited Debut on Oharai-machi
Oharai-machi, the torii-front approach to Ise Jingu, is steeped in Japan's history and culture and draws large numbers of worshippers and visitors year-round. The new store has opened in this historic townscape, rich with traditional Japanese atmosphere.
For a company that has already built stores in major traditional destinations such as Asakusa, Kyoto, and Kawagoe, opening in Ise's Oharai-machi — a place closely tied to Japan's spiritual culture — had long been a goal, making it a meaningful milestone. Since opening, the store has welcomed a steady stream of visitors, including worshippers and sightseers stopping by between shrine visits as well as travelers from overseas, many of whom can be seen picking up the handmade kanzashi.
Kanzashiya Wargo is a specialty store offering a wide selection of kanzashi designed to suit modern fashion tastes, from mode and casual to feminine styles. Putting hair ornaments front and center, the store proposes new hairstyling ideas and full outfit coordination that suits both traditional Japanese dress and everyday Western clothing.
The store welcomes visitors with pieces that carry Japanese aesthetics into the present, fitting for a special day spent at Ise Jingu. Whether as a memento of a visit to Ise, a gift for someone special, or a piece to add color to everyday life, the store aims to keep sharing the handmade warmth and fresh appeal of Japanese accessories in harmony with Ise's historic scenery.
Store Information
- Store name: Ise Jingu Kanzashiya Wargo
- Opening date: August 8, 2026 (Saturday)
- Address: 36 Ujiimazaike-cho, Ise City, Mie Prefecture 516-0025 (along Oharai-machi street)
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (subject to change by season or event)
About Kanzashiya Wargo
Kanzashiya Wargo is one of Japan's leading handmade kanzashi specialty stores, offering hairpins that blend traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern design. The company handles every step in-house — planning, design, production and store development, web design, and sales — as a direct-from-maker retailer, taking pride in every piece it creates.
Official website: https://wargo.jp/collections/kanzashi
